Steam cabinet



April 24, 1934.

W. R. MERNA STEAM CABINET Filed Feb. 1, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 W. R. MERNA April 24, 1934.

STEAM CABINET Filed Feb. 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 NVENTEIR :JER

Patented Apr. 24, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application February 1,

4 Claims.

This invention has reference to steam or medicinal vapor treatment apparatus for use in the home and has for one of its objects the provision of an electric steam generating device to be used 8 in connection with a crushable steam robe member whereby the user may cover himself and the generating device in such a manner that steam is confined within the cover to the end that the body may be exposed to the steam for more or less long periods of time without escape of steam into the room.

Another object is to provide a stear. treatment apparatus of simple convenient form to be used in the ordinary bath room, the steam generating member being combined with a stool upon which the user sits when taking treatment and which may at other times be used as a conventional bath room stool.

A further object is to provide a device of the class described having a steam generating member heated by electricity, whereby steam or medicinal vapor may be conveniently and safely produced in an ordinary bathroom.

Other objects will appear in the following description and accompanying drawings in which- Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the stool portion of the device;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the same;

Fig. 3 is an underside plan view showing parts to be described;

Fig. 4 is a fragmented side elevational view taken from line H in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmented view showing details of the steam generating mechanism;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmental view showing detail of structure to be referred to; and

Fig. '7 is a perspective view of my device in use with a portion of the steam robe broken away to permit clearer view of the stool and user.

Fig. 2 discloses the steam generating portion of the present invention as consisting of a stool member comprising a seat portion 10, preferably made from insulating material, supported on legs 11 which may be provided with cap or other foot portions 12, as indicated. To each of the legs is secured an inwardly directed bracket extension 14.

Disposed between the legs, approximately midway between the floor and seat is a kettle mem-' ber 15 supported by bracket arms 16 extending spider-like from the kettle and secured upon brackets 14.

For the purpose of insulating the heated kettle parts from the stool members, an insulated fastening between members 14 and 16 is provided,

1934, Serial No. 709,281

as illustrated in detail in Fig. 6. The belt opening in both members is made substantially oversize and the bolt 16 is surrounded therein by a bushing of insulating material 16". A washer 16" of similar material is placed between the surfaces of the bracket member, and the bolt head and nut.

By means of the insulated connection, heat and electric currents from the kettle structure are prevented from passing to the legs of the stool.

In the bottom of the kettle is secured an electric heating element 17 of conventional manufacture, the same being provided with lead wires 18 leading to a receptacle fixture 19.

Secured about the outside of the legs and extending from the seat to a point somewhat above the floor, is a cover member 20, preferably made from insulating material, whereby the kettle and appurtenances are concealed and insulated from contact with the user. Receptacle 19 is secured in the lower portion of one side of the cover as indicated in Fig. 2.

The kettle is provided with a breast ring 21 secured by means of screws 22 and a cap portion 23 secured thereto by means of a clamp bar 24 disposed below the rim of the breast ring and screw 25, as indicated in Fig. 5.

The breast ring is provided, on opposite sides, with flanged openings 26, to which are secured flared duct members 27, made from insulating material, extending outwardly and upwardly to terminate in the upper portions of opposite walls of the cover 20. Disposition of the flared ducts is clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

The ducts communicate with the atmosphere through grilled openings 28 in the walls of cover 20, as best indicated in Fig. 5. The grills are provided with hoods 29 as shown.

At one side of the breast ring is an opening into which is secured a pipe 30 leading through a wall of cover 20 and provided at its outer end with a spring cover cup member 31.

Pipe 30 is secured in the' opening by means of a bushing 30' made from insulating material, whereby heat and electric currents are prevented from passing from the kettle to the cup parts 31.

The foregoing has described the structure of the stool and steam generating portion of the device.

The complete apparatus comprises the device just described and a steam robe member to be used therewith. The robe member is preferably made from thin, crushable material such as sheet rubber, various fabrics, or paper materials. This steam robe is illustrated in Fig. 7 as comprising a skirt or cape member 32 of sufllcient dimensions to cover the user, with its lower edges resting upon the floor to form a substantially steam-tight cover. The robe is provided with shoulder and neck portions 33, the same having a slit 34 whereby the neck portion is conveniently adjusted over the head. A buckle or other fastener 35 is provided, whereby the slit 34 is held in closed position, as indicated.

For operation, the kettle is first filled to a desired depth with water, which is conveniently done by means or the cup 31 through pipe 30.

A conventional extension 36 is next connected with a wall receptacle 3'7, whereupon the heating element 1'7 is effective to heat the water.

The user next places the robe over himself and sits upon the stool with the lower edges of the robe arranged thereabout on the floor, whereby a tight enclosure is provided.

Steam generated in the kettle is conducted through grills 28 and confined within the steam robe, whereby the user's body is completely bathed in steam for a desired length or time.

Medicinal substances may be included with the water, if desired, for particular treatments.

When not in use, the robe may be folded, rolled or crushed into a unit occupying a small space and may be stored in a drawer, on a shelf or the like. In case paper materials are used, the robe becomes a disposable unit which may be destroyed after use. Robes made in this way are useful where the apparatus is employed in public use or for treatment in cases of contagious diseases.

The stool is suitable for everyday bathroom use.

What I claim is:

1. In a device of the class described, in combination, a portable heat insulated bath stool, a steam generating device secured thereunder, and a crushable steam robe entirely surrounding the stool and adapted to be secured about the bathers neck.

2. In a device of the class described, in combination, a portable heat insulated bath stool, an electrically operated steam generating device secured thereunder, and a crushable steam robe entirely surrounding the stool and adapted to be secured about the bather's neck.

3. A device of the class described comprising a portable heat insulated bath stool, the portion of the stool beneath the seat thereof being enclosed by walls to form a compartment, a steam generating device secured to said stool within said compartment, the walls of said compartment being provided with steam openings, means for conducting the steam generated in said steam generating device to said openings, and a crushable robe adapted to be secured about the bather's neck, said robe Iorming a steam enclosure entirely surrounding said'stool.

4. A device or the class described comprising a portable heat and electrically insulated bath stool, the portion of the stool beneath the seat thereof being enclosed by walls to form a compartment, an electrically operated steam generating device 100 secured to said stool within said compartment centrally thereof and intermediate the seat and base, the walls of the compartment having steam openings therein spaced below the seat, means for conducting the steam generated in said steam 105 generating device to said openings, deflectors mounted on the walls of the compartment above said openings to deflect the steam outwardly and arrest its upward movement, and a crushable disposable paper robe adapted to be secured about 110 the bathers neck, said robe forming a steam enclosure and entirely surrounding said stool.

WILLIAM R. MERNA. 

